Brown recruits the ex-CBI chief who flirted with Tories

Gordon Brown is facing a backlash over his appointment of Sir Digby Jones as a minister after it emerged that the ex-CBI chief had held talks with the Tories about taking a high-profile job.

David Cameron let it be known that he spoke to Sir Digby about the prospect of him standing as a candidate for London Mayor just weeks ago.

It also emerged that Sir Digby had discussed standing as an MP for a safe Tory seat - or taking a seat in the Lords - with former party leader Michael Howard.

The revelations fuelled dismay in Labour ranks at the appointment as trade minister of a man who is an outspoken cheerleader for lower taxes and limits on the influence of trade unions.

Sir Digby has agreed to take the Labour whip as a working peer in the House of Lords, but has refused to join the party.

At a private meeting this week, Labour peers attacked his appointment above loyal party members.

Senior figures Lord Dubs and Lord Snape are among those understood to have questioned the move.

Last night former Labour minister Peter Kilfoyle said: "I am mystified by his appointment. It is bound to end in tears. This man is not even a member of the Labour Party, he doesn't share our convictions or overall objectives. How can it work out?

"From everything he has said in the past, and now the news that he has been touting around for a job from David Cameron, it's obvious he has nothing in common with the Labour Party or its members.

"Political parties are supposed to be about shared belief, not vehicles for personal ambition."

Labour MP David Crausby said: "Digby Jones should either join the Labour Party or step down. Tony Blair wouldn't have got away with appointing him for a second."

Senior Tory sources said the 51-year-old told a Tory MP he was interested in running for London Mayor around two months ago.

Mr Cameron's office followed up the suggestion and the two men held private discussions. "He approached us but then the trail went cold," said a party source. "It seems he got a better offer from Gordon Brown."

Mr Cameron is understood to have discussed the situation at a private dinner with Tory MPs earlier this week.

"Digby Jones - he spoke to me a couple of months ago about standing as our candidate for Mayor," Mr Cameron disclosed. "He said he was interested and seemed keen, but then he went off and then the idea went away."

Senior Tories say Sir Digby made an earlier approach, around three years ago, about the prospect of joining the party.

Confidential discussions took place on finding him a safe parliamentary seat or a place in the Lords, sources say, but ended without agreement.

Last night Sir Digby confirmed talks had taken place, but insisted they had been initiated by the Tories. He said a group of leading businessmen had approached him about standing as an independent candidate for Mayor in April, and he had then received a phone call from Mr Cameron.

"David Cameron wanted me to join the Conservative Party, but I made it clear I didn't want to do that and we parted very amicably," he said.

"I was also approached under Michael Howard about taking a safe Parliamentary seat. Yes, we had talks, but in the end I said no."

Sir Digby attacked his Labour critics, saying: "I would like to think that the livelihoods of the people of this country would be more important to MPs and peers than a spat over the garden fence."

Trade Secretary John Hutton tried to make light of the controversy by joking in the Commons that he had heard "Comrade Digby singing the words of the Red Flag this morning as I passed his office".

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Digby is one in a long line of people linked with the Tories' desperate search to find someone who wants to be their candidate for London Mayor.

"Digby clearly believes that the nation is best served by working as a Minister in Gordon Brown's Government."